Beth Tweddle (GBR) announces her retirement

Elisabeth TWEDDLE (GBR)

* f i g - news --: A champion retires

Great Britain's Elizabeth Tweddle officially announced her retirement from competitive gymnastics bringing to an end one of the greatest careers in the history of our sport.
On the anniversary of her Olympic uneven bars bronze medal, Beth retires with an outstanding catalogue of achievements spanning three Olympic Games and including three World and six European Championship titles.
The first British woman to win Olympic, European or World Championship medals, Beth is considered to be the most successful British gymnast of all time.
The undoubted queen of British gymnastics, Beth inspired a whole generation of gymnasts, coaches and clubs, leaving a legacy that can be seen across Great Britain.

ECh 2010 in Birmingham: ... one of her gold medals on bars

Beth Tweddle said: “It’s been a hard decision to make; gymnastics has been and always will be a massive part of my life. Following the Olympics I’ve had a lot of projects on and recently I’ve had a bit more time to get back into the gym and decide whether I could put 100% into it and I know now deep down I can’t commit to the hours and training to remain at the very top. I’m going to miss being part of the team, my teammates, my personal coach Amanda Reddin, the buzz of the competition and achieving your dreams.
There are so many people to thank for helping me, the biggest one is Amanda who has always been at my side, nothing could have been achieved without her, British Gymnastics who have supported me throughout, of course my family who have always been there for me and the British fans who have been unbelievable.
I don’t think my achievements will ever really sink in but when I do look back I can be very proud of what I’ve done and how I’ve done it. I guess if there was anything I wanted to pass on from my time in the sport it would be that you should never let any obstacle get in your way. With hard work there’s always a way to succeed and always a way to achieve your dreams.”

Beth Tweddle in Beijing 2008: ... a pin for one of her thousands of fans

Outside the gym, Beth has been an influential ambassador for the sport of gymnastics and British Gymnastics. She has devoted an enormous amount of her free time to helping promote the sport, as well as mentoring younger members of national squads/teams and inspiring future generations of children participating in clubs, schools and leisure centres around the country.

Beth remains one of the most recognisable gymnastics names and faces both here in Great Britain and around the world. Fortunately, she will not be lost to the sport and plans to continue her involvement in a range of initiatives. To this end, British Gymnastics takes great pride in nominating Beth to the FIG Athletes’ Commission and following a successful endorsement, hopes she can continue to help shape and lead the sport, she has all but owned.

Jane Allen, CEO British Gymnastics: “Beth Tweddle is widely regarded as one of Britain’s greatest ever gymnasts and her achievements speak for themselves. Beth has broken so many records and has been an inspiration to all those around her and all that have witnessed her performances. Beth’s groundbreaking achievements, dedication and commitment to succeed have been one of the key catalysts in taking British Gymnastics into an era of historic successes.

British Gymnastics are delighted to nominate Beth to the prestigious role in the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Athletes Commission, in recognition of her outstanding achievements, her superb professionalism and her ability to inspire those around her.“

* British Gymnastics TV publishes an impressiv review of her career in a special
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* GYMmedia by information of FIG & British Gymnastics